A sensitive skin is a thin or a fine-textured skin. It reacts quickly to both heat and cold; therefore, it sunburns and windburns easily. It is commonly dry, delicate and prone to allergic reactions. Temperature changes, some detergents, cosmetics and alcohol (used on the skin) can all cause irritation, leaving the skin red and blotchy, with visible surface veins.

If you have this type of skin then adhere to the following advice:

Use sun-screen lotions or creams. Choose products that do not contain potential allergens such as fragrance or PABA sunscreens.

Wash your face with mild cream cleansers such as Dermaheal Gentle Cleanser, rinse thoroughly and pat the skin dry with a soft towel; do not use rough towel.

Don't use toners on your skin unless you use witch hazel

Never use any makeup or perfume without first trying a little of it on the inside of your wrist to see the reaction of your skin to it, for very few items of makeup agree with a sensitive skin.

One simple treatment is to maintain optimum skin moisture through the use of moisturizers. These moisturizers should also be free of the irritants mentioned below, especially parabens, surfactants, fragrance and artificial colours. They should also be made of natural ingredients, not artificially manufactured chemicals.

The following is a list of skin care ingredients to AVOID if you have redness and rosacea:

Your skin has natural oils that keep it moisturized. As our skin ages, it loses some of its ability to generate these moisturizing oils. The skin can also dry out as a result of elements such as wind, rain and sun. And of course, washing and rubbing our skin can cause a loss of these natural oils. This then causes the skin to become dry.

Medical studies show that almost 50% of all individuals with sensitive skin also suffer from dry skin. See dry skin above Dry skin is intimately linked to sensitive skin. When your skin becomes dry, it starts to crack. These cracks then allow the various irritants into the deeper and more sensitive layers of your skin. This causes more pronounced irritation to your skin. Dry skin can lead to prolonged skin sensitivity or reaction to irritants. Not only can various irritants penetrate the cracks in dry skin, but these cracks or crevices in the skin actually trap the irritants, making it harder to remove the irritant and therefore prolonging the sensitivity reaction to the irritant.

Micronized zinc oxide is recommended for oily skins especially if you have sunscreen sensitivity

Activities to AVOID if you have sensitive skin.

Avoid any activity or ingredients that might provoke an inflammatory reaction.

Avoid steam rooms, don't sit by fires, you may be sensitive to chlorine in swimming pools.

Home Therapies:

Lamelle's Barrier repair cream and Dermaheal Gentle Cleanser is specially developed for sensitive, dry or atopic skins. Dermaheal Gentle Cleansers and Moisturisers contain a very high concentration of powerful anti oxidants, that are normally produced by the skin, and deposits these anti-oxidants where they are needed, in the epidermis. Thioredoxin and Copper tripeptides also present in the formulations ensure optimal skin protection and signalling. Serra by Lamelle is also available for skin with an impaired lipid barrier.

In Office Therapies:

At Skin Renewal we in office combine transdermal mesotherapy with Dermaheal SRS to improve the appearance and the sensitivity of the skin. PDT therapy with the red light is a powerful anti inflammatory treatment as well. As each patient's case is different; we will tailor a treatment program specifically for you and your circumstances. A highly professional team led by a medical doctor assesses every patient and an appropriate treatment together with long term maintenance program is recommended dependent on expectations, budget, time and medical conditions.

Skin Renewal Tip

A series of 4 Transdermal Mesotherapy treatments every 2 weeks together with maintenance treatment every month and home therapies is needed to maintain the skin's immune system and reduce sensitivity.

Reviews

This was my first experience with Skin and Body Renewal and with the therapist too. Its been really relaxing and wonderful. After every treatment I do, I feel for booking another one. Overall its been great and I look forward to visiting more often now. Thanks Teniela, Mia and Ingrid for all your assistance and making this an awesome experience.

Please note: the information contained on this page is not meant to diagnose any condition or provide conclusive treatment options for a given condition. The final decision on treatments and diagnosis can only be made after a full history is obtained in person, and a physical examination is done.